Big Heart, Big Influence, Big Desert Legacy

CODY FRANKE WAS DIFFERENT. Different in soul, different in swing, different in style.

Franke, a longtime former assistant golf professional at Desert Willow GR in Palm Desert before finding national prominence on Barstool Sports’ popular “Fore Play” golf podcast, passed away this past October 25. He was just 31 years old.

Known for a full heart matching his hefty stature, Franke’s influence on desert golf was stated before it even formally began.

Ryan Szydlowski, general manager and director of golf at Desert Willow, first met Franke a decade ago while conducting annual internship interviews at his alma mater, Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.

“I met Cody in June of 2015; he was the first one to sign up for that interview day,” recalled Szydlowski in the days following Franke’s funeral service. “And he was the best interview that I ever had — ever. He came in dressed in a suit, huge smile and he got me excited during that interview. When he left, I just kinda’ sat there stunned.”

Certain that Franke would find an intern role at one of the nation’s high-end private properties, Szydlowski was further surprised when Franke accepted the Desert Willow internship opportunity. And the startle didn’t cease.

“Two months into his internship, he takes me aside one day and says, ‘I’d like 10 minutes when you have it,’” continued Szydlowski. “We sat down, and he wanted to share his goals list with me. I was taken aback for two reasons. Number one: His handwriting was terrible, and I couldn’t read the list. But secondly, he broke it into short, medium and long-term goals.”

While the list’s near-illegibility helps Szydlowski rediscover the years of laughter he shared with Franke, a more earnest reminder finds the written goals holding an omnipresence in the GM’s desk drawer.

“I think what struck me most was how intentional he was about being nice, about being generous with his time,” Szydlowski said. “There were goals about being humble, about mentorship, about providing the best service and attitude in every situation, about helping other staff members and enjoying the little things.”

FOLLOWING THE INTERNSHIP, Franke returned to Desert Willow in January 2017 in the full-time role of assistant golf pro; over the next seven years, his mantle and client sheet would run full.

In a region flush with great golf minds, Franke, with an empathy rare and care singular, would become one of the desert’s most popular teachers and effective marketers.

Before another KemperSports-managed property, Thornberry Creek at Oneida (Hobart, Wisc.), plucked him to be their head golf professional before he turned 30, Franke’s desert run included: twice being named Southern California PGA – Desert Chapter Merchandiser of the Year (Resort; 2019 and 2021); the SoCal PGA’s Section Merchandiser of the Year (Resort; 2020); and the section’s Assistant Golf Professional of the Year (2021).

IN ’22, FRANKE WAS recognized with Kemper’s “Retailer of the Year” award. Closer to his Midwestern roots, Franke’s life and profile found ample amplification when he was tapped by Barstool to serve as Fore Play’s “Head Golf Professional.” Known as “Beef” to both listeners and video viewers, the one-time desert gem soon morphed into a” nationally known social/new media maven.

The spotlight changed nothing of Franke’s hopeful and humble manner.

“We all thought it was super-cool, and were so glad that the world got to see Cody like we did, that the world got to meet him,” said Szydlowski. “We enjoyed how he stayed being Cody through the whole thing. In Barstool’s own words, he was the nicest person they ever met, and he kind of helped them understand how to be kind and generous.”

Following his passing from what Barstool described as a “sudden medical issue,” Franke’s life and influence was recalled in both the New York Times and USA Today.

On a level both desertlocal and nationally poignant, one of Franke’s most palpable impacts was his work with Folds of Honor, which uses golf as a vehicle to raise funds and author scholarships for the children of fallen and disabled service members.

At its annual fundraiser at Desert Willow, this year’s Folds event was held in Franke’s honor. In concert with record-setting funding at the November gathering, Folds and Desert Willow have now started a perpetual scholarship in Franke’s name.

“In Barstool’s own words, (Franke) was the nicest person they ever met, and he kind of helped them understand how to be kind and generous.”

AS FURTHER EVIDENCE of Franke’s impact and legacy, Ferris State has also begun a perpetual scholarship named for him, and Desert Willow’s annual “Employee of the Year” award will now carry Franke’s moniker.

“For so many golf professionals, it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day activities; if we could all be a little more like Cody, I think more people would play the game and I think people would have more fun playing the game,” concluded Szydlowski. “If you could take a lesson from Cody today, how excited would you be?”

For those who never had the pleasure of meeting Cody Franke or enjoying the spirit he brought to the golf course or the ethos with which he approached the game, all one needs do to appreciate and understand the man is view the signature sign-off on his popular pro-tip videos:

“Have More Birdies. Have More Pars. Have More Fun. Have A Wonderful Day.”